About two hours after the final whistle at Suncorp Stadium, the main group of the Wallabies trudged back into their city centre hotel. Applause broke out in the foyer. Understandably so, too. It takes two to produce the sort of gripping drama that unfolded during the first Test.

And as the night rolled on, and Bread of Heaven broke out among the British and Irish Lions supporters celebrating at the hotel bar, another part of the story unfolded. A separate car dropped off the casualties from a brutal encounter - Digby Ioane (shoulder), Adam Ashley-Cooper (shoulder), Berrick Barnes (head knock) and, most worryingly, Pat McCabe - sporting a neck brace.

Scans will reveal the extent of the total damage, but if Wallabies fans are looking for a sliver of encouragement, Ashley-Cooper was free of the sling that he was wearing in the immediate aftermath of the encounter. And the early noises out of the Wallabies' camp about Christian Lealiifano were upbeat.

There were also some regrets. While Warren Gatland believed the Lions were ''crucified'' by the officials at the breakdown, Australia were insistent and miffed that Adam Jones had pulled down Benn Robinson to win a scrum penalty that eventually led to Alex Cuthbert's try. It all spoke of a valiant effort in defeat, although Robbie Deans was quick to convey a different message in post-match comments. They had finished second. Bravery was acknowledged but it isn't going to change the result.

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The Wallabies have had their share of winning the close ones.

What now then for the approach in Melbourne? The discussions will rightly centre on No.10. ''It was a difficult night for James,'' Deans said. ''Obviously the disruption didn't help but I guess he was at the heart of working our way into a position to win the game, so you probably have to give him credit for that.''

A ringing endorsement it was not. And it was not entirely dissimilar to observations in the enemy camp.

''The line breaks they've made, ones from a quick tap and a couple of guys made a couple of errors,'' Gatland said. ''Talking to the players after the game [we said], 'Just trust yourself, be prepared to go through the phases', but we didn't think there is a massive amount of attacking threat against us. If we just keep our composure someone's going to make a mistake and we'll get a turnover.''

It was a fairly damning assessment. But neither coach will have missed that for both of Israel Folau's tries, O'Connor had only a supporting role, the brilliance of Will Genia to the fore. And as Jonny Sexton began to find space with clever kicks over the top of the Wallabies' defensive line, so O'Connor's relative lack of command was more obvious.

One possible solution already announced itself on Saturday. Kurtley Beale, as blameless for a loss as you can be after missing two late shots, changed the conversation when he came on. Considering all the faith already invested in the playmaker, it does not take much imagination to picture him in the No.10 jersey on Saturday. In fact, given his unfortunate slip in the game's last act, he is probably counting down the seconds to have another crack. Certainly he would have the support of teammates.

They were quick to throw a collective arm around him after the match, reassuring him no individual blame would be apportioned. It was Beale who started to cause some anxiety when he stepped into the first-receiver role. The Lions deserved to win, but there was some vulnerability about them in that final quarter. Captain Sam Warburton, mindful of recent experiences against the Wallabies, said afterwards he thought the game was gone when Beale lined up that last attempt.

Sunday's debates would have been very different had that kick sailed over. However, the one thing that might not have changed are the questions about O'Connor. If honesty is the first part of a useful self-review, the Wallabies will at least consider handing the keys to Beale, and put O'Connor on the wing.

There is another route of course. And whether it is Quade Cooper or Matt Toomua is almost a moot point. It is the lack of a specialist, regardless of his identity, causing the chatter among the faithful.

99 comments

It would be great to see Matt Toomua in there. He's got the credentials. Give him a go.

Commenter

Gothabrumbies

Location

Singapore

Date and time

June 23, 2013, 11:33PM

I think having Toomua as the inside back reserve would be best, with O'Connor-Leali'ifano-Beale at 10-12-15 (assuming no Barnes).

Commenter

ST

Location

Sydney

Date and time

June 24, 2013, 7:30AM

couldn't agree more. The most in form 10 in Australia at the moment and a complete shock he isn't starting 10 for Wallabies.

Commenter

illigan

Date and time

June 24, 2013, 8:17AM

I said it last week and it is even more obvious today. If you want to beat the All Blacks, South Africa etc. then you should recruit more League players, Union in Australia is at an all time low.

Commenter

selector 101

Location

sydney

Date and time

June 24, 2013, 9:04AM

Cannot understand why Toomua is not on the bench, at least. His defense is outstanding, he has very good hands and he hits the line hard when he has a dig. Cooper should probably start. Despite all his faults, the prospect of him putting up an accurate kick for Folau is delicious. Nobody is going to beat Israel under the high ball.

Commenter

Ed McCay

Date and time

June 24, 2013, 9:59AM

Agreed with ST - that combo looks excellent...

Commenter

Dannyray

Date and time

June 24, 2013, 10:09AM

My point for the past 2 months has been you play people in positions.Deans picked a team with no regular 5/8s in a game run by them. Without the peerless Genia they would have been beaten more convincingly. While I believe Cooper's partnership should have always meant he had first crack instead of Deans JOC gamble Foley or Toomua would do a good job. It would also allow Beale to go back to fullback and keep increasingly conservative and incapable Barnes from the field. He once seemed a find player but under Deans and the past couple of NSW coaches he has become a jack of all trades and master of none. Inside centre or nothing for him from now on please. He hasn't the chops.

Commenter

Marty

Location

Brisbane

Date and time

June 24, 2013, 11:21AM

@ Gothabrumbies

Hard to disagree with that call....especially after the form he showed against the Lions mid-week match. If Christian is good to go, then this Brumby pairing would be most welcomed. I think the excuse of inexperience at Test level has lost it's weight in this regard.

@ST

It's time to put JOC on Digby's wing....with a win at all costs at stake...let's go for it and give Toomua the call-up !

Commenter

Machooka

Location

inner west sydney

Date and time

June 24, 2013, 11:26AM

I agree, except I wouldn't even keep Barnes in the equation. He's not a 15, and he's on the decline. Start building a team around Genia, O'Connor, Lealiifano, AAC, Toomua, Folau and Beale, all positions covered with 2 wingers on the field. Formidable looking backline squad there.

Commenter

Jitterry

Date and time

June 24, 2013, 2:11PM

Paul Cully how on earth can you justify promoting Beale from the bench to a starting position in the backline based on his performance on the weekend? He missed a kick that even Giteau would have struggled to butcher before his next attempt left him on his back.

The whole problem with Australian Rugby is in that attitude right there. The players doing the right thing and playing well aren't getting selected. Clearly Beale isn't ready to be back on the world stage and this showed on Saturday night, he should be dropped not given another chance to much up again.

Poor coaching decision by Deans to have O'Connor kicking 2nd choice, Barnes has been kicking well for the Tahs this season.

Matt Toomua hasn't got test experience but he's been playing in a winning team all season and at No 10 as well, performed excellently against the Lions in the Brumbies win last week. That is of course if Robbie Deans is going to continue his downwards spiral to unemployment and keep overlooking Cooper.

Izzy was amazing, I was sceptical from the start of the Super 15 but continues to surprise me. I hope he stays in Australian Rugby

24 Jun
'I told you he was a threat,'' Lions assistant coach Andy Farrell deadpanned as the inevitable question about Israel Folau arrived. But no one might have imagined quite the impact Folau made on Saturday.

24 Jun
Returning Australian halfback Luke Burgess has been parachuted into the starting line-up for the Rebels' game against the British and Irish Lions on Tuesday. Two weeks after returning home from a two-season stint with French Top 14 side Toulouse, the 37-Test veteran was snapped up by Rebels coach Damien Hill to bolster a side missing four of its Wallabies.

24 Jun
While the Wallabies sweat on the fitness of no less than five back-line players, the Lions will welcome back powerful midfielder Manu Tuilagi for Tuesday's fixture against the Rebels in Melbourne.

24 Jun
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